Older employees 'would welcome flexible working', survey suggests

A survey carried out on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has found that the majority of workers aged over 50 would 'welcome more flexibility' in the workplace.

The survey, which polled more than 12,000 workers over the age of 50, revealed that 78% would like 'more flexible hours'. A further 73% want to see more part-time positions being offered, while 63% wish for more training schemes to help them use new technology and gain new skills.

According to the survey, flexible working hours for older workers can 'help them to balance their personal responsibilities and health concerns', and also enable them to remain in work for longer.

Currently, 10.2 million people aged over 50 are in employment. In order to help combat age discrimination and protect the rights of older workers, the government has unveiled its Ageing Society Grand Challenge, which aims to promote a 'vibrant and inclusive' job market.

Commenting on the issue, Small Business Minister, Kelly Tolhurst, said: 'We want to champion the role of older workers in the economy and ensure they have equal opportunities to both remain in and to find employment, so anyone who wants to can work for longer.'